Girl Child Network World wide Presents best positive and indigenous traditional practices in sheltering rape victims in Zimbabwe GIRLS Empowerment Villages 2 ND world shelter conference-dc 29 February to 1 march 2012 Some African traditions have some positives on sheltering

Formed in 1998 in Zimbabwe. GCNW empowers girls in the home, school and community. Replicated in Uganda, South Africa and Sierra Leone :

Formed in 1998 in Zimbabwe. GCNW empowers girls in the home, school and community. Replicated in Uganda, South Africa and Sierra Leone

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND:

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND 400 Years ago Royal Makoni people settled in Rusape –Manicaland, Zimbabwe Brother and sister fought side by side and chieftainship, freedoms and rights were shared between brother and sister- first tribe to declare women equal-positive cultural practice A special and sacred place was reserved for them and known as Chitsotso-firewood and this is where they met as girls after gathering firewood –it gave a choice ,space and voice Community and family is place a girl must turn to before any institution

A woman traditional chief helps in protecting girls rights-Muzvare-The late Her Royal Highness Nedope:

A woman traditional chief helps in protecting girls rights-Muzvare-The late Her Royal Highness Nedope

Girls Empowerment Villages set up in 2001 :

CHIEFS FROM ROUND ZIMBABWE LAUNCHED THE EMPOWERMENT VILLAGES –RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT GIRLS WAS TAKEN BY TRADITIONAL LEADERS UNLIKE BEFORE WHERE INSTITUTIONS PROTECTED WOMEN AND THERE WAS RESISTANCE Girls Empowerment Villages set up in 2001

Traditional Chiefs in Hwange get child protection training-joined by chiefs from all over Zimbabwe :

Traditional Chiefs in Hwange get child protection training-joined by chiefs from all over Zimbabwe

Girls Empowerment Villages:

Girls Empowerment Villages Empowerment villages serve as a safe haven for girls in rural communities and those with no access to protection in their homes Offered to 125 girls per month as a rehabilitation center to heal from rape, forced marriages and harmful cultural practices

Who runs them?:

Who runs them? Professional social workers and locally trained women with knowledge on child protection known as girl child monitors Also available to give referral to police, social services and other members of the judicial system Volunteers

The girls run self help projects –income generating projects :

The girls run self help projects –income generating projects Chihota Girls Empowerment Village bread making project to sustain running costs of the village

HOME VISITS ASSESS IF A GIRL IS SAFE:

HERE FATHER RAPED 5 YEAR OLD GIRL AND WE REALISE GIRL CANNOT OPEN UP AS RAPIST STILL LIVES WITH HER IN SAME HOUSE-WE ASK POLICE TO HELP REMOVE THE CHILD HOME VISITS ASSESS IF A GIRL IS SAFE

How do they help?:

How do they help? Rehabilitation for girls who are survivors of abuse Offer education Teach girls to become leaders and fulfill their potential Build self-esteem Remind girls of the power that exists within themselves Offer support from psychological, medical, educational, social, legal and more

Where are they?:

Where are they? There are some 7000 empowerment clubs in Zimbabwe, spread over 35 of Zimbabwe’s 58 districts and served by four girls empowerment villages in Chitungwiza, Chihota, Rusape and Hwange

Why are they relevant?:

Why are they relevant? Zimbabwe has over 1.5 million orphaned children, 52% of which are girl children and at risk, 10 girls report rape daily in Zimbabwe and treble the number does not A GCN survey showed that of all sexual abuse of children in Zimbabwe, 93% were girls Designed to be responsive to girl children as the most vulnerable entity Community involvement helps sensitive and mitigate –change attitudes, beliefs and practices Formal institutions are not enough to deal with all cases and that’s why family and community remains key

Replication of model in Africa through global support to a fund Girls can stay as long as when healed. Running costs for 25 girls per month is US$1000:

Replication of model in Africa through global support to a fund Girls can stay as long as when healed. Running costs for 25 girls per month is US$1000

Girls Empowerment Village-A place to heal, hope and to lead. Girls are born victorious and not victims :

Girls Empowerment Village-A place to heal, hope and to lead. Girls are born victorious and not victims

EMPOWER THE GIRL CHILD, POWER THE NATION:

“The worth of a nation can be measured by the number of its empowered girls.” – Betty Makoni, CEO of Girl Child Network EMPOWER THE GIRL CHILD, POWER THE NATION